Tommy Rowan | The Express-Times

About Me:

I cover issues in municipalities along the Rt57corridor and in Warren County, N.J., for The Express-Times and @lehighvalley. Have a story? Drop me a message. Give me a call. trowan@express-times.com or 610-258-7171 ext. 3542.

It will be interesting to see how other municipalities plans, such as Independence Township's request to redistrict preservation land along Routes 46 and 517, will be received by the Highlands Council. There will be many interesting story lines to follow this summer as the council starts voting regularly. Stay tuned.

@koncernedsitizen It is in the Warren County blog, and there is only one Washington Township in that county. However, if you feel it is not made clear enough, I will be sure to be more specific in WASH TWP stories moving forward.

@greenevilone The parking odrinance concern was noted, and will be a big issue at the next committee meeting in July, when the police and fire department return with their evaluation. No decision was made last night, but when it does, you can be sure it will be covered.

@NJDEP I'm sorry I missed your comment. I am working on a feature story for the beginning of July outlining Richard Cotton's case for expanding The Waste Water system in his develop plans. I am putting in calls to the Highlands, Richard, the Committee, local residents and a representative from Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authoriy. I'm going to get everyone's perspective. If you would like to weight in, or would like to offer your two cents, please contact me at 610.258.7171, or through e-mail at trowan@express-times.com. I'm always open to suggestions, and will always return messages. @greenevilone did I miss anyone else?

As a die-hard Phillies fan, I may be a bit biased, but in my opinion the Phanatic is the best mascot in sports now, and of all-time. Don't give me the San Diego Chicken, he speaks. The Phanatic entertains millions of children and adults around the world without the luxury of an oral presentation. Tom Burgoyne, and Dave Raymond (the original and previous "Phanatic best friend") truly are talented.

An extraordinary set of circumstances. I wonder if this would hold up in a court of law? Would she win? Would the township settle? That leign would get mighty expensive if someone doesn't act fast, that's for sure. Great story, David.

It's pretty ironic how the Phillies won their second world series title in 2008, 54 years after the city's second team, the A's, left for Kansas City (1954). Isn't it? Or am I just pulling at strings. No matter, Philly, regardless of what fans from other cities may think, has a remarkable baseball history. The A's had their "100,000 infield," and a claim to have fielded a better overall championship club than the infamous '27 Yankee team known as "Murder's Row, in the early 1930s. The Phillies have kept there same nickname, and have been in the same city for longer than any professional team in North American. Sure, they are also the first pro team with 10,000 losses, but this is just a testament to their longevity. And finally, the Philadelphia Stars, a Negro league Baseball Team, won the world championship in it's first year in 1933, and featured hall of famers such as Satchel Paige. Check out the baseball history if you get a chance. It's full of interesting and intriguing storylines.

My Grandmother, God rest her soul, used to sit on her small, square porch attached to the front of her row-home in Northeast Philly, and bark at kids walking by first accusing them of being high, and then remarking "kids today will get high on anything. Why don't you pull your pants up, and go and get high in church...off Jesus fumes!"

To this day, I never knew what that meant. Then I saw this post, and felt this story was appropriate.

Coming from someone who went to The Vet and watched wretched Phillies teams play for a chance at .500, I can't tell you how great it feels to watch a Cy Young race go on between three pitchers, on the same team! MY TEAM!! Now, that may be getting ahead of myself, but you know what, I don't care. I'm enjoying every inning, every pitch, every arrogant comment I make to fans of once-dominating AL franchises who are having trouble keeping up with The Fightins'. Oh, how sweet it is....

See, some may remember Kruk, Eisey and Duncan only because in '93 they jumped on their "worst to first" bandwagon and rode it all the way to Toronto. If you really want to test the measure of a self-professed 'die-hard Phils fan,' ask them to name the opening day starting rotation in 1996. From my experience, it is a great indicator of time-suffered. Then again, all the kids these days have smart phones that Google faster than most people think. I guess this means we're going to have to start going through closets and searching for Brad Brink trading cards. Believe me, they're out there.

@mother of son if you are willing to speak further about your experience with Freedom House and your sons unfortunate circumstance, please give me a call at 610.258.7171 x3542, or through e-mail at trowan@express-times.com.

@greenrider why do you refer to this establishment's program as a "scam?" Do you have a personal story to share? If so, contact me at your convenience.